It’s First Friday, so head out to the plethora of locations across town and in Watsonville that open their venues to art, wine and craft beer, and food.
There’s lots of live music and theater around town: catch the multi-award-wining play Red Velvet. You can make a craft, learn, explore and move all weekend long!
At the end of all, just sit back and watch the football game with friends and fans.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Winter Is For Everyone
When: 2/1 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Cost: Free
What could be better than sipping a cup of Mexican hot chocolate while sitting around a campfire and getting lost in a good story? Enjoy all of these, in good company too, at our local historic mission park!
Red Velvet
When: 2/1 – 2/3 from 8:00 pm on Friday, 2:00 and 8:00 pm on Saturday and 2:00 pm on Sunday
Where: The Colligan Theater
Cost: $45/$50
The Jewel Theater brings professional actors to the stage in Santa Cruz with a timely production of Red Velvet, a play exploring racial divisions brought to light when an African American actor must take the place of England’s most famous leading man in Shakespeare’s Othello.
Hearts for the Arts 2019
When: 2/1 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Artisans & Agency
Cost: Free
Do you heart art? Come to the First Friday Reception at Artisan’s Gallery to bid on Valentine-themed works available by silent auction. Proceeds benefit Santa Cruz Art Council’s Arts Education program, which brings art and culture to over 17,000 students across the county. The silent Auction runs through Feb. 13.
First Friday
When: 2/1 at 5:00 pm
Where: Multiple Locations County-wide
Cost: Free
With events in galleries, salons, shops and restaurants throughout Santa Cruz and Watsonville, First Friday serves up the options. If you find yourself on the Westside, check out Stockwell Cellars for wine, mixed media photography and food from Ate3One food truck. You can stay on the Westside and visit other galleries, or move on to Midtown, Downtown or Watsonville for more art, interactive experiences, performances, food and drink.
Also on Friday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Funky Caribbean Nights with Rob Ramo y Caligente @ Crow’s Nest
- Shimshai Trio & Ashel Seasunz @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- RUSTY ROCK AND ROLL @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- James Hunter Six @ Moe’s Alley
- Margo Cilker with Whiskey West and Body Language @ The Crepe Place
- Lil Xan @ The Catalyst
- Prezi @ The Catalyst
- VJB Band @ Severino’s
- Harpin’ and Clark – Happy Hour @ Michael’s on Main
- Locomotive Breath @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
- Micro-diamond: A House of Gratitude by Natacha Diels, Sam Scranton, and Zach Moore @ Radius Gallery
- 8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival @ Center Stage Theater SOLD OUT
- Benjamin Verdery – Virtuoso Classical Guitar & Composer @ UCSC Music Center Recital Hall
- Luminous Numinous @ Felix Kulpa Gallery
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Guided Elephant Seal Walks @ Año Nuevo State Park
MORE
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“Land of the Jaguars: Wild Wetlands of South America,” A New Presentation by Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom
When: 2/2 at 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Cost: Seymour Center Members $20 | General Admission $25 | Gold Circle $45
Saturday, February 2, 2019
3 PM and 7 PM
Acclaimed wildlife photographer Frans Lanting and partner Chris Eckstrom bring an up close look at the jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal and the miraculously successful restoration efforts in Argentina’s Ibera wetlands, which were exploited to the point of devastation. Conservationists Doug and Kris Tomkins’ efforts to rehabilitate the grandeur of this unique animal kingdom are documented by Lanting and Eckstrom as they share stories, photos and videos of their latest jungle adventure. Proceeds benefit marine science education and conservation programs.
ArtSmart Family First Saturdays: Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir
When: 2/2 at 11:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Memorial Veterans Hall
Cost: Adult $15, Child $10
Bringing world rhythms and culture to Santa Cruzans, the latest ArtSmart Family First concert features renown singer/dancer/percussionist/storyteller Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. This Grammy-nominated ensemble inspires with African American roots music and history told through song and dance.
Santa Cruz Tattoo Expo
When: 2/2 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Cost:
Converging at the Kaiser Permanente Arena are 100 tattoo artists from all over the country ready to ink some art on you!
Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
When: 2/2 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Penny Ice Creamery (Downtown Santa Cruz)
Do your patriotic duty and celebrate Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! In recognition of this important global movement, the Penny Ice Creamery (downtown location) will open up at 9:00 am serving up scoops for your most important meal of the day.
Red Velvet
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Saturday
MUSIC/DANCE
- Live Music by Echo Fabric @ Abbott Square
- Blame Sally @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Extra Large @ Crow’s Nest
- THE VAN BURDON PROJECT @ Flynn’s Cabaret
- Katdelic @ Moe’s Alley
- Manorlady w/ Balms and Eve’s Peach @ The Crepe Place
- RJD2 @ The Catalyst
- Sasha’s Money @ Severino’s
- Joint Chiefs @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
- Paper Marbling Workshop @ All Hands Workshops
- Make a Heart Bowl for Valentine’s Day – Workshop with Annie @ Annieglass
OUTDOORS
- Castle Rock Loop @ Castle Rock State Park
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Old-Growth Redwood Tours @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Pine Needle Basket Making Workshop @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Archaeology Demonstration @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Old Cove Landing Trail @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
SCM Makers Market Presents The Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market –RESCHEDULED
When: 2/3 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm – RESCHEDULED DUE TO RAIN; NEW DATE 2/10
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: Free
The Santa Cruz Mountain Maker’s Market is a gathering of 40 local artists with free concerts all day long. Stroll and shop local along the downtown streets– treasure hunting is good exercise!
Super Bowl Fun Run
When: 2/3 from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
Where: Back entrance of Natural Bridge State Park
Cost: $40/$50, Child $5
The Superbowl starts at 3:00 pm, so you have plenty of time to run a 10K and still enjoy the day! The Santa Cruz Track Club presents the Superbowl Run, a 10K, 3K and 1K for kids, along gorgeous West Cliff Drive.
Super Bowl Party at Bruno’s Bar and Grill
When: 2/3 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: 230 Mount Hermon Rd., #G Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Cost: Free; RSVP
For good, old-fashioned Superbowl fun, head to Bruno’s Bar and Grill. They’ll be serving up food and drink specials with games and prizes– it’s the perfect spot to watch the game.
Red Velvet
See Description Under Friday Section
Also on Sunday
MUSIC/DANCE
- The Apollo Era W/ Redwood Sound and Sleep It Off@ The Crepe Place
- Grateful Sunday Concert Series @ Michael’s on Main
THEATER/ARTS
MAKE/CRAFT
OUTDOORS
- We Bring the Sandhills to You! @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ranch Tours @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
MORE
- Special Storytime: Local authors read Wally the Wave @ Live Oak Branch Library
- Sunday Play Day @ The MAH
Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss
SPRING BREAK CAMP
What: SPRING BREAK CAMP
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
When: April 1 – 5, 2019
Enrollment opens Friday for area Kindergarten and 1st graders’ Young Explorers Spring Break Camp. For five days, the kids will build a strong connection with nature as they interact with our natural environment through exploration, science and art projects and games at the Museum of Natural History and outside.
Registration for Summer 2019 Backpacking Trips
What: Registration for Summer 2019 Backpacking Trips
Where: California State Park
When: June 20 through Sunday June 23, 2019
Online registration also begins February 1 for California State Parks Backpacking trips. With two Naturalists leading each trip, backpackers will learn about the natural and cultural history of our beautiful and bio-diverse wild places. Trips include Skyline to Sea, Butano and Castle Rock State Parks.
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